Tom Morris | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 February 1954 Liverpool, England |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder and 89% owner of Home Bargains |
| Spouse | Kristina O'Hare |
| Children | 5 |
Thomas Joseph Morris (born 10 February 1954) is a British billionaire businessman and the founder of retail chain Home Bargains.
According to the Forbes in December 2024, Morris is worth $5 billion. [1]
Thomas Joseph Morris was born on 10 February 1954 in Liverpool. [2] He is the son of a shopkeeper in Liverpool's Scotland Road, and one of seven children of Tom and Veronica Morris. [3] [4] The Morris family have been involved in retailing for three generations. [5]
He received a degree in engineering. [4]
Morris started the Liverpool-based discount retail chain Home Bargains in 1976 in Old Swan, [6] when he was 21 years old. The chain, during the time originally named "Home and Bargain" retails a diverse range of goods, including health and beauty products, groceries and toys. The stock is often bought at discount from brands trying to offload stock. [7]
In 1995, Morris decided to rebrand the stores logo and name, from "Home and Bargain" to Home Bargains, with a new blue and red corporate logo which was designed by Morris's family member and graphic designer Anton Morris. [8]
Morris reportedly founded the brand using a bank overdraft. [7] It now has more than 595 stores, employing more than 34,000 staff. [5] It still has its largest presence in the Merseyside region of the UK, and is the largest single employer in the area. [5] Morris has said that he plans to expand the chain to more than 800 stores. [5] Morris's interest in Home Bargain's is held by parent company TJ Morris.
Morris owns 89% while his younger brother, Joe Morris, is a smaller shareholder and operations director. [6] Three other brothers also work for the company. [4]
Morris was worth an estimated £2.05 billion in 2014, as per the Sunday Times Rich List. [9] In April 2018, Forbes estimated his net worth at $3.1 billion. [7]
In 2023, the Sunday Times Rich List estimated Morris' net worth as £6.133 billion, making him the richest Liverpudlian and fourth wealthiest person from North-West England. [ citation needed ]
In 2018, Morris paid himself £1 million. [10]
He is married and lives in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England. [7]
In 2001, the Liverpool Echo reported that his son worked for the company, and that his daughter Lisa and her American husband Brian run Morris Textiles, the linen warehouse. [11]